Female activists launch campaign for action as famine grips Sudan
July 17, 2024 (KAMPALA) – The Guardians Organization or “Alharisat”, a civil society group of female activists who were involved in the December revolution, launched a month-long campaign on Wednesday aimed at mobilizing global support to address the escalating famine crisis in Sudan.
According to a recent food security report, 25.6 million Sudanese people are currently facing severe hunger. Of those, 755,000 are experiencing famine conditions, with an additional 8.5 million on the brink.
Ruwida Mattar, Secretary-General of the Guardians Organization, told Sudan Tribune that the campaign seeks to “draw the world’s attention to the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan.” The campaign, under the slogan ” Do not Close Your Eyes to the Famine in Sudan” is intended as a swift and direct response to the ongoing crisis, highlighting the tragic deaths from hunger that have already occurred.
The Guardians Organization relocated its operations to Kampala following the outbreak of war in Sudan on April 15, 2023, as the conflict led to the suppression of civil society organizations, activists, and volunteers.
Mattar emphasized that the campaign, which will run until August 17, aims to raise awareness about the dire situation in Sudan and advocate for urgent action from the local, regional, and international communities to address the humanitarian crisis.
She expressed concern that the current response to the crisis is insufficient given the scale of the disaster. The activist hopes that the Guardians’ campaign will serve as a catalyst for broader civil action and encourage increased donations and aid to Sudan.
The campaign, which began on social media, will be officially launched at the Guardians Organization’s headquarters in Kampala on Friday. The launch will feature a distress call in various Sudanese dialects, with women dressed in mourning attire and beating tribal drums to symbolize the urgency of the situation.
The campaign will include a range of activities, including a day of prayer and fasting for the relief of Sudan, protests at United Nations headquarters, and a “Wall Against Hunger” where artists and children will create murals to raise awareness about the crisis.
Additionally, the Guardians Organization will hold a free clinic in Kampala and the Sudanese refugee camp in Kiryandongo, northern Uganda, to highlight the challenges faced by refugees in accessing medical care.
Members of the organization will also initiate a personal fundraising campaign to encourage Sudanese in the diaspora to donate to famine relief efforts through a United Nations agency.